Swona

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Swona is an uninhabited island in Pentland Firth off the northern shore of Scotland.

Video Swona

Geography and geology

Swona is further north of two islands in the Pentland Firth between the Orkney Islands and Caithness on the Scottish mainland. It lies on the southerly approach to Scapa Flow, west of South Ronaldsay.

Located in tidal streams of the Pentland Firth, tidal competitions are present at both the north and south end of the island, being a little while at the turn of the tide. Between races is a quiet eddy that extends the ebb and flow when the wave strengthens. The race is very visible, with over-falls and whirlpools. Large wave waves can also be present, especially in adverse weather conditions. When entering or leaving the vortex crossing the race, even powerful strong ships can be pushed out, such as the demarcation between the relatively quiet eddy and the fast-moving currents in the race.

Swona is about 1.25 miles (2.0 km) long, about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) wide, with a maximum height of about 41 meters (135 Â°, ft) and an area of â€‹â€‹about 92 hectares (0.36 Â°, sq. mi). It consists of the Old Red Sandstone with cliffs on the east coast.

It is administered as part of the Orkney Islands, while Stroma, in the south, is part of the Highland Region (though traditionally part of Caithness). There is no regular access to the island, however, the Pentland Ferry sailing from Gills Bay, near John o 'Groats, to St Margaret's Hope usually passes near the island, depending on the direction of the tides at that moment.

In 2005 Swona was owned by two Orkney farmers, but was unsuccessful due to access difficulties. This is a SSSI conservation area (Site of Special Scientific Interest) with a number of rare plants.

Maps Swona

History

The island takes its name from Old Norse, SvÃƒÆ'ney or Swefney , which means "Swine Isle" or "Sweyn's Isle".

There is an island of the same name, SvÃƒÆ'noy, in the Faroe Islands.

There is prehistoric, pre-Norse and Norse remaining on the island. as well as the remnants of newer crofting settlements including wild flocks. The island was inhabited around 500 BC to 1974.

Ships were built on the island for several years. The latter, Hood can look interesting up to the shingle beach near the landing stage. It is no longer worthy of the sea, has a hole in it that is caused by a wild cow using it as a rubbing post. The landing and boat stages can be seen briefly as it passes through a gap in the rock near the northern end of the island on the east side. The last house to be occupied can also be seen in this area.

The island is home to many shipwreck caused by strong currents at the Pentland Firth. In 1931, a Danish cargo ship weighing 6,000 tons called Pennsylvania was destroyed on the island. The Orkney newspaper at the time said it was one of the most heavily loaded boats ever to be destroyed in the area. After some rescue, the wreck was eventually purchased by the Stroma and Swona male syndicates.

The Swain Minor lamp was built in 1906 at the south west end of Swona. Originally a cast iron tower but was replaced by a reinforced concrete square tower circa 1980's. The Stroma Lighthouse was previously built in 1896 and stands at the northern end of Stroma Island.

In the summer of 1973, Arthur Rosie left the island and died shortly after. James and Violet Rosie (brother and sister) left in March 1974. James suffered from Parkinson's disease and died c. 1976 from a perforated abdominal ulcer. Violet died c. 1984 at South Ronaldsay. They did not return to the island after they left it. Many of these houses, while in a dilapidated state, as they were abandoned, with various treasures still visible where they were abandoned.

Orkney Image Library - Old farm buildings on Swona

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Wildlife

When the population went, they left a herd of beef cattle - 8 cows and 1 ox (Shorthorn - Aberdeen-Angus cross). Five generations later, in 2004, the flock turned wild is still strong, and is now classified as a new breed in the World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds . There were ten bulls, four oxen, and two calves. Two calves are born every spring, though not all live to adulthood. The herd does not get any additional feed, although it is vetted by the veterinarian every year. The animals themselves choose to be resilient, easy to give birth, and low maintenance, feeding the grass and seaweed. After being separated from the land for so long, they are completely free of disease, and have returned to wild behavior. Because of this, DNA samples have been taken, from the ears of some dead livestock. In summer, the main herds are usually in the middle of the island.

In 2012, this herd of animals has reached an average of 17 tails. This number seems to be about the maximum amount that the island can support.